### Chapter 381: The Violinist Who Dedicated His Whole Life to the “Feelings”
After He Zhi Chen left,
The room was filled with heavy breathing sounds, as if everyone could hear their nerves jangling.
Even these seasoned artists seemed to be having cold feet.
Lin Tian thought that made sense.
This wasn’t a competition, but it was still incredibly significant.
It wasn’t just a fusion between classical and pop music, but also an opportunity for them to have a close conversation with their audience.
How can you not feel nervous when about to have a chat?
And with the recent online buzz,
It seemed like they were placing their musical reputations on the line.
They had to face their furious fans who didn’t understand a thing, and their performance was indeed a dialogue with their fans.
If they couldn’t calm this storm, they’d surely incur backlash.
At that moment,
Lin Tian noticed Mao Wei Ang deep in thought, muttering something to himself.
He then dug into his bag, pulling out a bottle of pills, gulping down a couple of them with a sip of water.
Lin Tian stared at him. Mao Wei Ang noticed their young friend’s gaze and, raising his head, smiled politely.
“For peace of mind, I take these before every performance,” Mao Wei Ang explained.
“Are you really only given five more months?”
Lin Tian asked.
“Yup, I switched hospitals for a check, and both gave me the same result.”
“Well.”
Lin Tian recalled the other day’s chaotic rehearsal.
Seeing Mao Wei Ang so enraged, he was utterly shocked when Mao Wei Ang lashed out at Bai Junze.
Mao Wei Ang normally didn’t look like someone with only a few short months to live.
Because he was still seriously committed to every single task—
Be it competitions or these rehearsals.
He was entirely immersed in it, seemingly forgetting everything else.
So, Lin Tian found himself asking, was it truly only five months left?
He seemed just a bit too focused—maybe it was overcompensation?
If you only had five months left, what would you want to do?
Lin Tian pondered for a moment.
If forced to choose—
He’d prefer to be dried out by Gan Yan Yu for five days straight.
“Teacher Lin Tian,”
Mao Wei Ang suddenly interjected,
“Thank you for agreeing to this ridiculous collaboration.”
“You’re thanking me way too early,”
Lin Tian responded,
“We don’t know how things will turn out.”
“Regardless of the outcome, I must thank you.”
A slight nod and a smile.
“Time with your tutelage, I’ve learned a lot.”
“There’s no teaching involved, only guiding.”
Lin Tian corrected him.
He figured his own status as a pianist was no match for a cellist.
In these few days, he mostly acted like a doctor, diagnosing and offering advice.
Both were a bit… mentally complex.
Lin Tian paid the price for that.
Still, if someone had to be their teacher,
It would be Gan Yan Yu.
“Teacher Lin Tian, when did you first fall in love with classical music?”
Out of nowhere, Mao Wei Ang brought up this question.
“Me?”
Lin Tian mulled over it.
That question made his authority shine.
From meeting Gan Yan Yu, he had been engaged in a journey with music for only a year.
Initially, he saw music as merely a tool for making money.
With Gan Yan Yu’s help, he was more inclined to focus on music.
But, in those early days, he approached every task as long as the system required it.
Even if it was bizarre like managing a foot massage parlor in “Foot Bath City”—Rise to fame if it meant that much to him.
When did he actually start liking classical music?
Reflecting,
It wasn’t at their rooftop meeting.
Not even when Gan Yan Yu played solo for him at his home.
No, it was that afternoon after she had an attack.
When he carried her upstairs,
Gan Yan Yu showed him her home.
She lay motionless after taking medicine;
He sat by the balcony’s rocking chair.
The gramophone played her beloved classical tapes.
Lin Tian remembered, she proudly presented her favorite:
Havel’s D major third concerto; a blend of piano, violin, and cello.
For the entire afternoon, they didn’t utter a word.
They simply basked in the symphony that echoed from the gramophone, losing track of time until dusk.
Despite initially underestimating spreading classical music,
The first time he truly appreciated its beauty was then.
He found that—
Classic music was indeed… kinda cool.
No wonder Gan Yan Yu was so enthralled.
“So, you ended up becoming a pop producer?” Lin Tian grinned.
“Yep.”
Mao Wei Ang chuckled as well.
“My whole life has been dedicated to this—to bring pure joy through music.”
“Now I get it.”
Lin Tian sighed, impressed.
So,
That’s why Mao Wei Ang was so focused on the “feelings” rather than “souls.”
Everyone perceives music differently.
To Mao Wei Ang, the ultimate goal was to make music accessible and enjoyable—regardless of genre.
Mao Wei Ang chose popular music, dedicating himself entirely to that cause.
Ironically,
Mao Wei Ang became interested in music because of Grandpa Gan,
But he took a route that was the opposite.
Grandpa Gan spent his career protecting classical music, while Mao Wei Ang dedicated his life to creating pop music.
According to the timeline,
Mao Wei Ang, at 12, witnessed one of Grandpa Gan’s final performances.
Grandpa Gan campaigned against changes in classical music.
That same concert, maybe,
Might have sparked Mao Wei Ang’s passion.
But now,
The very artist whom they admired had become the biggest obstacle for his granddaughter.
Ironically poetic.
“Okay.”
Regardless,
Lin Tian respected Mao Wei Ang’s goal.
Earlier, without much thought, he agreed, not really getting along with Mao Wei Ang’s pop music.
But now,
Mao Wei Ang seemed like any other dreamer chasing music, like him and Gan Yan Yu.
It’s just what they each wanted differed.
This collaboration,
It briefly united different ideals among them, uniting them in their shared love for music.
They could lose themselves in it, expressing to their audience.
They needed to know,
Musicians can,
As can their fans.
But there was still an issue,
Mao Wei Ang was too passionate.
His pop style was so pure it verged on being overly specialized.
Like what Gan Yan Yu said,
Lacking heart.
“Just kidding, everyone!”
He Zhi Chen burst into the tent,
“It’s showtime!”
They quickly checked their instruments and headed for the stage.
“Teacher Lin Tian,”
At the last moment,
Mao Wei Ang stood up,
“I lied to you before.”
“What about?”
“I have a wish I need completed before I d*e.”
“Ah, you mean the collaboration with Gan Yan Yu,” Lin Tian guessed.
“You knew?” Mao Wei Ang was surprised.
“Figured it out,” Lin Tian replied.
Considering Mao’s character, if fate led him to fall in love with music through Gan Hua,
In his last days, doing what he loved—
How could he not want to play with his idol?
Though Gan Hua passed,
He left behind a vibrant performer in Gan Yan Yu.
Perhaps,
The moment they met at Dragon Zither Cup, the idea began brewing?
“Not bad, Teacher Lin Tian.”
Mao Wei Ang admitted, a bit embarrassed,
“Gan Hua holds a special place in my heart, and seeing Gan Yan Yu reminded me of him—what a thought for a dying man, am I right?”
“Small potatoes,”
Lin Tian shrugged.
His irritation about rehearsing with anyone who wanted to play with Gan Yan Yu had vanished.
In fact, there was another matter he wanted to discuss.
“Since we’re being honest, Master Mao,”
“Go on.”
“Listen carefully to Teacher Gan’s performance,”
Lin Tian patted his shoulder,
“I can’t help, but only she can guide you.”
Mao Wei Ang looked taken aback, then laughed off, nodding.
“I will,”
Mao Wei Ang said,
“And actually, I’ve always wanted to…”
“What?”
“To see the world through Teacher Gan Hua’s eyes.”
Looking at the cello in his hands, he looked up, smiling at Lin Tian.
“After writing music all your life, isn’t there some regret in not seeing a glimpse?”
Lin Tian nodded in understanding.
Then, stepping onstage,
“What’s keeping you two?”
Gan Yan Yu whispered, resting her head on Lin Tian’s ear.
“Nothin’ important,” Lin Tian responded,
“But now, let the masters showcase their skills!”
